European Space Policy will take off before the end of 2005

European Space Policy,
8 June 2005.

The second European “Space Council” was held in Luxembourg on June 7th. Ministers from the Member States of the European Union (EU) and the European Space Agency (ESA) encouraged the Commission to complete its proposal for a European space policy and programme due to be approved at a third Space Council meeting planned for the end of November 2005. For the first time, there has been a consensus of 29 European countries on a new European approach in the space sector. The roles of the different actors have been clarified, leading to a better use of existing resources. The Commission has proposed uniting resources in Europe with the objective of making the EU a key player in the space sector.

The Galileo navigation satellite programme and the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme are identified as ‘flagship’ activities for the European Space Policy. Funding of space activities is already incorporated in the Commission proposal for the 7th Framework Programme of research and development.

An important element for the Member States will be to decide the extent to which they either direct their national initiatives towards an enhanced European programme of space activities or continue to fund activities at national level. A key element will be the inclusion in the European Space Programme of space systems to support security objectives.

EU Member States will also have to ensure that the ambitions of the space programme are taken into account in the next Financial Perspectives.